Do Burglar Alarms Really Deter Crime?

Do Burglar Alarms Really Deter Crime?

Your home is your castle. If there is any place in the world where you and your family should feel safe and secure, it’s at home…but unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. Over a million home break-ins occur every year in the United States, and for the families who are unlucky enough to be victims of those crimes, that sense of security is shattered forever. Of course you want to do everything within reason to keep this from happening to you, but should a burglar alarm system be a part of your security plan? Do burglar alarms actually help prevent burglaries?

Hear it from the burglars

According to the burglars themselves, the answer is a resounding YES! In a University of North Carolina study, 83% of the 422 convicted burglars surveyed said they would attempt to determine if a home had a security system before they even attempted a break-in. Only 13% said that they would continue breaking into a home if they discovered a security system during a burglary attempt.

Besides helping to reduce the chance of a burglary happening in the first place, burglar alarms provide many other benefits:

Having an alarm system can reduce your homeowner’s insurance premiums by up to 20%.

Alarm systems can help increase the resale value of your home.

Alarm systems can help automate other home systems like temperature control and lighting.

In rare cases where homes with alarm systems are burglarized, the average property loss is over $2,000 lower than in homes without an alarm system.

When it comes to burglar alarms, buyer beware

Of course, in order to get those benefits, your alarm system has to actually work. Unfortunately, not all alarm companies are created equal, and telling the difference between a reputable company and a fly-by-night operation isn’t always easy. That’s why Dynamark Security of Richmond takes an education-first approach to selling home security systems. Check out our blog post about common alarm industry scams for more information about how to make sure you’re dealing with a reputable company.